Bamboo Forest Manager - Chapter 339



A Most Wholesome Night

“Gah?!”

As I jolted awake, the savory scent of fried chicken filled the air.

A sharp pain coursed through me, and my body ached.

Lifting my head and glancing around, it finally dawned on me that this was my room.

“Oh, you’re awake.”

“You came to quickly.”

“…….”

And there, in the center of my room, three figures were gathered, tearing into chicken.

Yua-rin, Choi Jin-ah, and Senior Joo-hee.

Yua-rin shifted over to the spot she had made for me and spoke seriously.

“I think I might be sick.”

“Sick?”

“I just… my body aches, and I suddenly lost consciousness and all that.”

What should I do about this?

Should I rush to my father and schedule a surgery date right away?

All the gazes that had been fixed on me now turned to Senior Joo-hee.

“Cough, cough. I’m sorry, Woo-jin.”

The senior awkwardly cleared her throat and subtly offered me a chicken leg.

“I… I got so embarrassed that I just snapped in the moment.”

“Pardon?”

I was left wondering what she meant by that.

—

—

As I lingered for a moment, memories began to creep back, slowly but surely.

“Ah!”

Right, I remembered.

I had told my senior that it was delicious and chewy, only to receive a slap in return.

‘So, did you carry me all the way here?’

Your stamina is truly impressive, senior.

“I heard why I got hit. But wasn’t this a bit deserved?”

Yua-rin pointed out while munching on chicken.

Choi Jin-ah agreed, reaching for the pickled radish, but I smacked her hand away.

“Ow! Why, why did you hit me?”

“This is my room. You should take my side.”

“What does that even mean…? Then you should say the same to Yua-rin.”

“Yua-rin is stronger than me, so that won’t work.”

So, isn’t it okay to vent my frustration on someone as pathetic as Choi Jin-ah?

“Tch.”

Choi Jin-ah grumbled, picking up the pickled radish again.

Every time I see her, I can’t help but doubt if she’s really a world-class violinist.

Isn’t it all just a lie?

“You have things you can say to your senior and things you can’t, right, you fool?”

Yua-rin poked me with her toes. Just look at her flexibility from doing taekwondo.

I must remember to check just how flexible she is later, in bed.

“I only said what I thought you’d like the most.”

“How does your brain work to come up with that?”

“…Are all chaebols like this?”

“I’m not like that!”

I shot a questioning glance at my senior, who was looking at Choi Jin-ah with suspicion.

“Senior, what was the reason you asked me that?”

“Huh?”

“Should I see that guy as a real man? How is it that less than five minutes after getting knocked out, he’s already doing something to get hit again?”

“…I’m not like that.”

—

“Shut it all! We’re in the middle of an important conversation! Just bring the beer!”

As I shouted, Choi Jin-ah, closest to the fridge, hesitated before grabbing a can of beer.

Ssssh!

I took a long sip, fixing my gaze on my senior, who, with a chicken leg in hand, answered quietly, head bowed.

From noble mtl dot com

“W-well, I mentioned it earlier. I was wondering if I made a mistake… or something like that.”

“More precisely, did I satisfy that person or not!”

“Well, that’s… not entirely untrue.”

It’s only natural to worry about such things, especially for a first experience.

Even if I couldn’t voice it out loud.

“So I was being considerate! I didn’t want you to have some trauma from your first time! I wanted you to feel confident about s*x instead!”

“Why the hell would you have confidence in s*x?”

“Yua-rin, shut up! Confidence in s*x is important! One of the guys living here in the dorm came to me for advice after he couldn’t get it up with his girlfriend at a hotel!”

Back when I was working part-time at an adult shop, I had recommended a few items to him.

“W-well, I guess that can happen.”

Choi Jin-ah nodded, intrigued. It was something you wouldn’t hear anywhere else, so it seemed to be crossing into the realm of learning.

“Same for me! When people say they enjoy it, it gives me strength. If I can satisfy them, I want to do it even more.”

As I poured out my philosophy, the three of them simply started to listen.

“s*x isn’t just about seeking pleasure. It’s about feeling each other’s connection and affection through the body, not just emotions!”

“Damn, it’s like an intro to s*xology.”

“Don’t you know that couples in s*xless marriages say it’s a crisis? If you start to distance yourselves like that, it leads to infidelity!”

Why do I feel like I’ve become Anonymous69?

I had intended to defend myself against my senior’s response, but the flow had taken a strange turn.

“So you’re living with three women? To avoid cheating, huh?”

“…”

Nodding slightly, I took a bite of the chicken leg in my hand.

“This chicken is delicious!”

“Just die already, please.”

* * *

As one goes through life, various opportunities arise.

Yet, one often finds themselves unable to grasp them, never even reaching the point of seizing or letting go.

Some people do not even realize that an opportunity has arrived.

No, I thought, perhaps most people are like that.

They simply let it pass by, like an ordinary day, but in truth, today could be the moment that changes my life.

For example.

“…….”

In my room, with blankets spread out, three women are asleep, just like this moment.

‘If it were Seo Ye-rin and Choi I-seo, I would have jumped right in.’

Regrettably, it is not those two, but rather Choi Jin-ah and Senior Joo-hee.

The reason they ended up sleeping here is simple: time has slipped away too much.

Originally, I had planned to take them to Senior Joo-hee’s room to tuck them in, but after drinking, I lost track of time, and we ended up here.

I thought it wouldn’t be a problem since Senior Joo-hee was with us.

I didn’t really dwell on it either.

Most people would probably not believe me if I said this, but still, I want to be with only the one I love.

‘Why does it smell so good when I’ve been drinking?’

But the problem lies in the pheromones of the sleeping women, or perhaps I should say, the sweet scent that strangely tickles my nose and stirs something in my lower body.

I glance down, turning my head slightly.

As I look at the women lying straight, various thoughts swirl in my mind.

‘Am I being foolish?’

On the table, there’s spicy pork, tonkatsu, and spam.

Isn’t it an insult to the ones who prepared this if I don’t even pick up a spoon?

Amidst these thoughts.

Vroom! Vroom! Vroom!

– Choi I-seo –

I momentarily glance at my phone and cautiously answer.

“Just the guardian of common sense, Choi I-seo.”

– What’s with the sudden nonsense?

“No, seeing your name pop up on my phone makes me feel a bit clearer.”

– Hmm? I’ll take that as a good thing. Are you in the dorm? Did I wake you?

“I was about to sleep.”

I steal a glance at the three of them.

Seeing her peacefully asleep, it seemed alright to chat for a moment.

“What were you up to?”

– I was drinking with some high school friends at my place.

“High school friends, huh…”

– Yoonji was there too.

I see.

Well, I don’t really feel any aversion to it now.

We see each other at school sometimes and chat a bit.

It’s nice to see the kid doing well.

“Why did you call? Is something up?”

I didn’t think Choi I-seo would call without a reason, but there was silence on the other end.

After a brief pause, she let out a sigh and spoke.

– I just wanted to hear your voice.

“s*xual desire slayer, Choi I-seo.”

– What do you mean by that?

“I mean, even in those moments when it feels like desire might overwhelm me, just hearing you say something like this calms it all down.”

– …Are you saying I don’t turn you on?

“Are you drunk?”

– Answer me.

“Okay, can I come over now? Just make sure I can’t go to school tomorrow?”

I was getting ready to leave when Choi I-seo shouted urgently.

– Ah, no! Don’t come!

“Do you hate it that much?”

It was half a joke, really.

– No, it’s just that Yoonji is here right now. She’s sleeping in the living room.

“Ah.”

So she was trying to prevent any awkwardness.

– Let’s hang out later. After the exams, we should go somewhere.

“Sure, sounds good. Where should we go?”

– Already deciding?

“It’s better to decide in advance, isn’t it?”

– Think about it a bit. Since it’s the two of us going, we should choose wisely.

So it was the two of us going.

Look at how slyly she’s nailing it down so the others can’t come.

“Alright, let me know once you decide.”

– Yeah, got it.

As she replied, Choi I-seo let out a slight yawn.

She must be getting sleepy.

“You must be tired; go to sleep soon.”

– Hmm, I should. Don’t be late for the lecture tomorrow, okay?

“I told you, I won’t be.”

– Sleep well.

Click.

After hanging up, I calmly close my eyes.

The strange, jumbled thoughts that had been swirling in my head just moments ago feel suddenly sacred.

Should I say I’ve been purified?

In any case, I felt odd about myself for having those abnormal thoughts.

‘I should sleep.’

Just as I was about to close my eyes.

“…….”

“……”

A face peeks up beside the bed.

Kneeling, Choi Jin-ah stares at me with wide eyes from the side of the bed.

After a brief silence between us.

“I should sleep.”

I try to close my eyes, but Choi Jin-ah suddenly shakes me with both hands.

“D-Did you just talk to I-seo?”

“Just sleep; it’s embarrassing.”

“No, I’m really surprised right now. You could talk like that?”

What on earth is she going on about? I glare at her, and Choi Jin-ah starts to fuss.

—

“The Woojin I know seemed to be afflicted by a disease that struck him dead for uttering anything sensible. But, but when he speaks with Iseo, it feels like they’re just an ordinary couple?”

“Can’t you just go to sleep? You two will wake them up.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m just really surprised. Wow… so it’s true, the three of you are dating together.”

“Ha, the kids have different personalities, so they end up talking in their own ways. Jina, too, says everything in front of me, but when she’s with Father, it’s like she’s suddenly mute.”

“…It feels bad, but I totally get it.”

Well, as long as you understand, that’s enough.

“Go to sleep already.”

“Yes, understood.”

Just as Choi Jina was about to lie down again.

Before long, Yu Arin and Senior Juhui were awake. It even felt like they both had eavesdropped on my call with Choi Iseo.

“Should I drink more beer? I’m starting to feel like crap.”

Yu Arin mumbled, lying there in a daze.

“Ahem, still, Woojin. I’m glad you’re a kid who can have a normal relationship.”

Even Senior Juhui looked relieved as she glanced at me.

“Then why did everyone pretend to be asleep?”

—